Dune: Part 2, is that rare film that not only succeeds at pulling off a spectacle of epic proportions (the kind that almost demands that you witness it on the big screen), it also manages to deliver a thematically rich and thought-provoking story.

For being nearly three hours long, I barely felt the runtime, and that's largely because we're given so much to chew on, and marvel at. Greig Frasser's cinematography is as breathtaking as it was in Part 1 (maybe more so), the special effects are incredible, the action is exhilarating. I could go on and on praising this film's technical achievements, but they would all amount to nothing more than (ittedly impressive), flashy visuals, were it not for the compelling story we're also given.

Fully exploring the inner-conflict that Paul Atreides faces as he struggles to live up to the prophesized messiah-like figure that's expected of him, this film toys with the idea of faith, and all the complexities behind it; more than that, it examines the power that religion holds, the hope it can instill in those who desperately need it, and (unfortunately), how potentially destructive and manipulative of a force it can be.

Giving a much more layered and commanding performance than he did in Part 1, Timothée Chalamet is the film's obvious acting standout. Some of the best moments in this film come from seeing his character immersing himself in the ways of the Fremen. The bond that he develops with Stilgar (Bardem), as well as Chani (Zendaya), help anchor the film on an emotional level. While on the topic, I can't express how glad I was to see such a well-written and believable relationship between Paul and Chani. In David Lynch's Dune, there was never an ounce of chemistry between these two characters. Chani was more of an accessory rather than a full-fledged character, but Villeneuve's version has thankfully given her a much more prominent role in the story.

As much as I adore this film, my biggest issue with it, stems from the fact that some of the more villainous characters in the story, lack the same amount of depth and dimension that Paul Atreides, and some of the other Fremen like Chani and Stilgar receive. Austin Butler for instance, is very unsettling as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. There's no denying that. But, outside of his completely apathetic nature, there's not a whole lot else to him. In addition, Dave Bautista's heated outbursts had his character walking the fine line between cartoonish and unintentionally laughable. Even a seasoned actor like Christopher Walken, was not able to leave much of an impact during his brief appearances. I'm not entirely sure if I'll still find these aspects bothersome on a rewatch, but I can't deny that I was less invested whenever focus shifted to the Emperor/Harkonnen side of things.

I may not have been in love with Part 1- which I found to be occasionally unengaging and unevenly paced, but getting to see the complete picture now, it's clear how necessary much of that first film's plot really was. The beauty of having all that setup in the previous portion, is that now in Part 2, all that's left, is the payoff. I am beyond psyched and ready for the next installment. I only hope we won't have to wait too many years before Denis and his team complete it.